How Ukrainian Drone Strikes Are Disrupting Russia’s Oil Refining Network

Ukraine has intensified long‑range drone strikes against Russia’s energy infrastructure, hitting several major oil refineries in central Russia and forcing some facilities to shut down or sharply reduce production. Industry data cited by Reuters indicates that the affected plants represent more than 83 million tonnes per year of refining capacity, roughly a quarter of Russia’s total refining capacity.

Because these refineries supply both domestic fuel markets and export shipments, the disruption affects a significant share of Russia’s gasoline and diesel output and adds pressure to a sector that provides a large portion of state revenue.

Scale of the disruption

Recent strikes have hit multiple refineries in a short period, forcing plants to halt or scale back fuel production across central Russia. According to Reuters‑cited reports, the combined capacity of the disrupted facilities exceeds 83 million metric tonnes annually (about 238,000 tonnes per day).

That capacity represents about 25% of Russia’s total refining capability. The affected plants together account for more than 30% of the country’s gasoline output and about 25% of its diesel production, making the disruptions particularly significant for domestic fuel supply and exports.

Separate calculations cited by Reuters also estimate that drone strikes in early 2026 temporarily knocked out roughly 700,000 barrels per day of refining capacity across Russia.

Major Russian refineries affected

Several of the largest refineries serving central Russia have been struck or forced to suspend operations.

Moscow refinery (Gazprom Neft)
Located in southeastern Moscow, this refinery is a key supplier of fuel to the capital and surrounding region. Operations were reportedly suspended following drone strikes in May 2026.

Ryazan refinery (Rosneft)
One of Russia’s largest oil refineries, located southeast of Moscow. Drone strikes triggered fires and forced the plant to stop processing crude, disrupting fuel supplies to the Moscow region.

Nizhny Novgorod – Lukoil NORSI refinery
A major refinery in central Russia that has been targeted during the wider campaign against the country’s refining sector.

Yaroslavl – Slavneft‑YANOS refinery
Another large refinery in the central industrial belt, reported among facilities forced to cut or halt production after strikes.

Kirishi – Kinef refinery
One of Russia’s largest refining complexes, located near St. Petersburg. It plays a critical role in supplying the northwest and supporting petroleum exports through Baltic ports. It has also been reported among the refineries affected by the wave of attacks.

Additional facilities outside the immediate central‑Russia cluster have also been hit. For example, the Permnefteorgsintez refinery in Perm—Russia’s seventh‑largest—reportedly halted crude processing after a drone strike damaged key distillation units.

How the attacks affect fuel supply and exports

Refineries convert crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products. By disrupting refining rather than only crude production, the strikes can affect both domestic fuel availability and export revenue streams.

Analysts note several knock‑on effects:

• Reduced output of refined fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
• Lower petroleum‑product exports, which generate foreign currency revenue.
• Increased logistical strain as crude oil must be rerouted to other refineries.
• Higher repair and protection costs for energy infrastructure.

The concentration of strikes in central Russia is particularly significant because the region’s refineries supply large population centers and transport networks while also feeding export channels.

Ukraine’s broader strategy: targeting the war economy

Ukraine’s drone campaign increasingly focuses on energy infrastructure tied to Russia’s military logistics and fiscal capacity. Refineries are attractive targets because they sit at the intersection of domestic fuel supply, military transport fuel, and export earnings.

According to reporting cited by Reuters, Ukrainian drones struck at least 16 Russian refineries between January and May 2026, roughly doubling the number targeted during the same period the previous year.

By repeatedly hitting these facilities, Ukraine aims to:

• Strain Russia’s fuel production and distribution system.
• Reduce export revenues from petroleum products.
• Force Russia to divert air‑defense resources to protect industrial infrastructure.
• Increase economic costs for sustaining the war effort.

Important caveat: disruption vs. permanent damage

Although the attacks have forced shutdowns and output cuts, disrupted capacity is not the same as permanently destroyed capacity. Refineries often restart partially once fires are extinguished or damaged units are repaired. Analysts therefore treat the reported 83‑million‑tonne figure as affected capacity, not necessarily long‑term loss of production.

Even so, the repeated targeting of major refineries has demonstrated that long‑range drone strikes can reach deep into Russia’s industrial core and temporarily disrupt a substantial share of its fuel‑processing system.